Bulgarian land forces

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Land Forces are functionally divided into Active and Reserve Forces. Their main functions include deterrence, defense, peace support and crisis management, humanitarian and rescue missions, as well as social functions within Bulgarian society.

The Active Forces mainly have peacekeeping and defensive duties, and are further divided into Deployment Forces, Immediate Reaction, and Main Defense Forces. The Reserve Forces consists of Enhancement Forces, Territorial Defense Forces, and Training Grounds. They deal with planning and reservist preparation, armaments and equipment storage, training of formations for active forces rotation or increase in personnel.

During peacetime the Land Forces maintain permanent combat and mobilization readiness. They become part of multinational military formations in compliance with international treaties Bulgaria is a Party of, participate in the preparation of the population, the national economy and the maintenance of wartime reserves and the infrastructure of the country for defense.

In times of crisis the Land Forces' main tasks relate to participation in operations countering terrorist activities and defense of strategic facilities (such as nuclear power plants and major industrial facilities), assisting the security forces in proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, illegal armaments traffic and international terrorism.

In case of low- and medium-intensity military conflict the Active Forces that are part of the Land Forces participate in carrying out the initial tasks for the defense of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the country.

In case of a military conflict of high intensity the Land Forces, together with the Air Force and the Navy, form the defense group of the Bulgarian Army aiming at countering aggression and protection of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the country.

The Bulgarian Land Forces are scheduled to become fully professional by 1st of January 2008, bringing an end to mandatory military service. The Bulgarian Air Force and Naval Forces are already fully professional.

Inventory of the Bulgarian armed forces:

Infantry weapons :

   * automatic weapons : AK-47
   * 200 antitank missiles AT-3, AT-4, AT-5

Tanks :

   * 432 tanks T-72
   * 300 tanks T-55

Armored vehicles :

   * 60 BRDM-1 to BRDM-2
   * 114 BMP-2 to BMP-3
   * 80 BMP-1
   * 618 BTR-60
   * 900 MT-LB

Artillery :

   * 218 multiple-launch rocket system BM-21 -- 122 mm
   * 205 cannons D-20 -- 152 mm
   * 193 cannons M-30 -- 122 mm
   * 687 self-propelled howitzers 2S1 Gvozdika -- 122 mm
   * 68  self-propelled howitzers SU-100 -- 100 mm
   * 359 self-propelled guns 2S11 -- 120 mm